More About the Parks Around for All 100

Photo above: Visitors on horseback on the Glacier Point Trail, looking toward Yosemite Falls. Circa 1901. Photo courtesy, Library of Congress. One of the original 35, and designated as a National Park on October 1, 1890.

Photo above: Historic image of an early entrance to Wind Cave courtesy National Park Service. Wind Cave National Monument was one of the original 33 parks as of the NPS August 25, 1916 date. Right: Just one spectacular scene from Yellowstone National Park, the oldest National Park.

National Park Service 100th Anniversary

Wind Cave 100th Events

Wind Cave National Monument will be finalizing their 2016 events soon. For now, there are a number of 2016 events on the calendar that are considered part of the National Park Service's 100th Anniversary celebrations. Stop back for more info on time and place when they become available.

2016 Events

South Dakota's National Park Treasurers: Through the Voices of Our Youth

Date/Time: April 19, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Location: Custer, South Dakota.
Event: Wind Cave National Park will partner with the Rockyford Elementary School fourth grade classes from Porcupine, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the Custer Elementary School fourth grade classes from Custer, South Dakota, and Native American songwriter and performer Mr. Sequoia
Crosswhite to write an original piece of music about Wind Cave. This original song will then be premiered on this date in Custer South Dakota.

Bird BioBlitz

Date/Time: May 21, Time TBD.
Location: Wind Cave National Park.
Event: As part of the nationwide BioBlitz weekend, Wind Cave National Park will focus on birds in general and spring migrants in particular. Festivities will include beginner/family bird walks, bird banding demonstrations, live raptors and bird box construction workshop. Areas will also be assigned to advanced bird watchers for documenting birds migrating through the park during this 24 hour period.

Employee and Friends Reunion

Date/Time: July 8 and 9, Time TBD.
Location: Wind Cave National Park/Mueller Center.
Event: A reunion of former and current employees and friends of the park will occur on Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9. There will be special events at the park ending with a banquet at the Mueller Center in Hot Springs Saturday night. Everyone is welcome. Dinner reservations are required.

The American Solar Challenge

Date/Time: August 6.
Location: Wind Cave National Park.
Event: The American Solar Challenge is a college competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time and distance rally event. This year's course will begin in Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio and travel 1,800 miles through 9 national park areas before ending at Wind Cave on Saturday, August 6.

Christmas in the Hills Parade

Date/Time: December 2, Time TBD.
Location: Hot Springs, SD.
Event: The Centennial of the National Park Service will serve as the theme of this year's Christmas in the Hills parade and other events.